Censoring the Internet

[MountainDon]

The entertainment industry has spent many mega dollars to lobby congress to pass bills that would in the end result in heavy censorship of the internet.

http://fightforthefuture.org/pipa/
or
http://vimeo.com/31100268


more info
http://www.avc.com/a_vc/2011/10/protecting-the-safe-harbors-of-the-dmca-and-protecting-jobs.html


If you think this is a bad idea write/call your congress rep and senator

[MountainDon]

more   .... (30 second ad at beginning)

http://cnettv.cnet.com/kill-demon-copyright-law-from-hell/9742-1_53-50115087.html?tag=nl.e404

The bills would supposedly help the entertainment industry at the expense of a lot of freedoms. You could make a case that many of the links we post could get someone in trouble.

[Squirl]

This is an exceptionally vague an broad law.  It gives a massive amount of immunity to some of the largest corporations in the U.S. to censor content they don't like.

So not only can they shut it down, they are immune from being sued for it.

Senate Bill - Mr. LEAHY (for himself, Mr. HATCH, and Mr. GRASSLEY

House Bill- Reps. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, and Howard Berman, D-Calif.

Bipartisan Support.

[MountainDon]

Right, it's a HUGE step towards controlling how and what people can say. Gives power to the deep pockets.  Sucks big time.

[Sassy]

Another scary bill the DOJ wants to put in place "Lying on the internet"  could soon be a federal crime...

http://www.digitaltrends.com/social-media/lying-on-the-internet-could-soon-be-a-federal-crime/

[MountainDon]

Well, maybe if we can prosecute and toss any politician who lies about anything into a prison and toss the keys.   

[Sassy]

That sounds like a mighty fine plan, MtnDon!   

[Squirl]

Using a violation of the terms of service as a federal offense has been tried before.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_v._Lori_Drew

[Sassy]

Interesting case, Squirl...  While I don't approve of "cyber bullying" especially what an adult like Lori Drew did, I don't want everything that is said that might be critical of the politicians, gov't, etc, construed as a criminal offense.  That would definitely take away our 1st amendment rights of free speech.

Wonder how this bill, if passed, would change things?

[MushCreek]

We've all gotten used to having a variety of instant communication at our fingertips (dependent, some would say). Internet, cell phones, radio, and television. Think of it- Suppose the g'ment decided to shut it all down for 'security reasons'? Remember the national radio test a while back? People would be thrown into chaos, and most importantly, wouldn't be able to coordinate any type of counterattack against a dictatorial government. You'd almost think we were being set up......

[Native_NM]

Breaker, breaker..

Low tech becomes high-tech all over again.

[MountainDon]

More info HERE

[ScottA]

Effort mis-directed by design. Remember all the outcry over the bank bailouts? A lot of noise and no one in government listened. Put your frustration where it belongs by getting rid of the losers in DC. Everyone who cares about this country needs to be on the streets throughout the next election cycle shouting "throw the bums out".

[Native_NM]

Looks like it is dead. 

[Gary O]

Looks like it is dead.

How 'bout dem apples!!

[MountainDon]

We can call off the dogs till the next time   

[Windpower]

indeed

till next time

this is a link to a ted talk, good outlook on what this is really about --hint: follow the money


http://www.ted.com/talks/view/lang/en//id/1329

[MountainDon]

That was a darn good presentation. Thanks WP

The next round will be coming.

[Squirl]

What gets me, that according to the justice department, they already had the laws and jurisdiction to police the web.  The day this died, they indicted and arrested foreign nationals in a foreign country for online piracy.  They weren't even the ones pirating copyrighted content, people were just uploading it to their servers.  I bet the scares the pants off of google and youtube.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-31001_3-57362152-261/fbi-charges-megaupload-operators-with-piracy-crimes/?tag=mncol;txt

[MountainDon]

So some time back I wrote my Representative in DC as well as our 2 senators. This AM I got an email from Congressman Lujan... mostly a canned response with the key thought being... "Over the past few weeks, I have heard from many constituents who agree that piracy is an issue that must be addressed, yet have serious concerns with provisions in the bill.  After listening to them and hearing further from those with expertise in this field, I have taken another hard look at the bill. I share many of the concerns that have arisen and have decided that I can no longer support this legislation in its current form."

It appears that the thought of unhappy constituents possibly NOT voting for him may have had more influence than whatever $$ he was receiving from proponents of the bill. At least it would be nice to believe in that. I'll not stop writing letters/emails in any event.

[Windpower]

The next round is already here


ACTA

http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2012/01/23/if-you-thought-sopa-was-bad-just-wait-until-you-meet-acta/

[waggin]

...and now OPEN (Online Protection and Enforcement of Digital Trade,) legislation sponsored by Darrell Issa and 24 co-sponsors.

http://www.activistpost.com/2012/01/sopa-and-pipa-fully-alive-and-new-bill.html

"The bill pretends to only target foreign websites, while keeping Americans free to surf and post, but the bill's wording is wide open to pursue American sites. Just one example: when describing an infringing site, it starts with those "that are accessed through a non-domestic domain name," but continues in section ((A)(ii) for any site that "conducts business directed to residents of the United States.""

Love how the OPEN name implies freedom and lack of restriction...uh-huh. 

[MountainDon]

Democratic Republic of Germany.... People's Republic of Korea... People's Republic of China...